A 38-year-old woman was shot to death by her two brothers shortly after they learned that she had been talking with a missionary over Skype (an online instant messaging program) and that she had a Bible. In a second incident, a man stabbed his 22-year-old sister to death when he caught her with a Christian CD. The Christian woman had previously talked with her brother about Jesus. The brother left her body in front of a hospital before seeking treatment for his own hand wound. In the third incident, a man beat his daughter to death by hitting her on the head with a stone. He turned himself over to police and confessed to the killing, knowing that he would likely not face serious punishment. He reportedly told police that his daughter had continued to attend church despite his warnings.
Please pray for those impacted by the loss of these dear sisters in Christ. May God surround those who are mourning with His love and peace. Pray, too, that He will use the legacy of these women in a powerful way, inspiring many others to learn more about Him. Ask especially that the family members who so tragically ended these lives will repent, turn to Jesus and, in time, become bold disciples of our Lord.
To post a prayer of love and support for those mourning the loss of these women, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at
www.persecution.net/prayerwall.
NIGERIA: VOM Volunteer Murdered by Militants
Source: VOM USA
Militants from the Islamic group Boko Haram murdered a VOM volunteer in Gwoza, Borno state, in late April. "His death shocked almost all the Christian community," reported another VOM worker in the country.
At the time of his death, the volunteer was delivering hundreds of VOM-Nigeria newsletters. He also blessed the ministry by using his own vehicle to transport victims of attack to hospitals and served as a contact person between VOM staff and others in the community such as widows, injured victims, Christian leaders and local pastors. His killers reportedly stole 500 copies of the VOM newsletter from his car, and pastors in the area are now praying that the newsletters will minister to the militants.
Christians in Gwoza, which is only about eight kilometres from the Cameroon border, have experienced repeated attacks from Boko Haram insurgents. Thousands have fled the city, and hundreds of homes, churches and businesses have been razed.
As we intercede on behalf of the Gwoza community, let us begin by expressing thanksgiving to the Lord for the dedication and ministry service of this faithful VOM volunteer. While we can rejoice that he is now experiencing life to the fullest, may we remember to pray for his family, friends and all those he kindly assisted in the community who are mourning his tragic death. Please also join the pastors of this area in praying that the stolen newsletters will greatly impact the lives of many militants, serving as a means of drawing them into relationship with the one true God. Finally, bring the entire country of Nigeria before Him in prayer, asking that He use His people to extend peace and grace amid the violence.
For more information on the tremendous trials our brothers and sisters endure in Nigeria, visit our Nigeria Country Report at
www.persecution.net/nigeria.htm.
BRUNEI: Christians Concerned as Sharia Law Takes Effect
Sources: Open Doors, World Watch Monitor
The Sultan of Brunei recently announced a controversial new law based on Islamic criminal punishments. While the nation had previously used Islamic laws to regulate civil affairs, such as personal and family issues, it will now use Sharia law to cover criminal offenses. The new law affects Muslims and non-Muslims alike, and Christians are very concerned with these latest developments.
Severe bodily punishments will eventually be introduced with the law, including flogging for adultery, cutting off limbs for theft, and stoning to death for rape and sodomy. The new law also prohibits Muslim parents from letting non-Muslims care for their children. In addition, converts from Islam face losing custody of their children should their new faith become known. Teaching other religions outside Islam to a child of Muslim or atheist parents is also forbidden -- a decree that will negatively impact the few Christian schools in the country that welcome many non-Christian students. The penal code further cites that non-Muslims can no longer share their faith with Muslims and atheists.
Following the lead of neighbouring Malaysia, Brunei's Sharia law also claims that 19 words belong solely to Islam. Christians are now banned from using words like Allah (God) and Firman Allah (God's Word), which are found in the Malay language Bible commonly used by Bruneians. As Christian materials cannot be brought into the country, local language Bibles will be increasingly difficult to obtain.
In the face of these looming challenges, please join with pastors in the country who have shared the following request: "We pray day and night that the laws won't push through. But if they do, please pray that God will help us work through this obstacle -- not around it, not over it, but through it." Pray that God will move powerfully in the hearts of Brunei's leaders, so that many more in authority will come to faith in Him. Finally, pray for wisdom for Christian parents, educators and church leaders, as they determine how to best instruct those in their care to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Please visit our Brunei Country Report at
www.persecution.net/brunei.htm to learn more about the restrictions Christians face in this small country in Southeast Asia.
